tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711709160549252982019-05-21T21:40:14.207-04:00The Nerd ManualNerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-68096083368164464572019-03-07T20:43:00.004-05:002019-03-07T20:44:24.783-05:00Nerd Q&A: Straight Talk<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcvRDbeYX9M/VMWHUymZ9YI/AAAAAAAABqw/G_tFokZJJ_QZpyJcEq6jH443leYX0LsRACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Conversation1.jpg" /></div>Here's a question that I personally answered a while ago, but after thinking about it, I figured there may be other people out there who want some straight talk.<br /><br /><i>Do you have any personal advice (not a gimmick or step-by-step program) for someone who is socially anxious?</i><br /><br />Yes, actually. You know, I like step-by-step instructions, but they can be a little disconnected, and sometimes you just want to know what other people think, how they feel, and how they get through life.<br /><br />So I’m going to share a few things that I’ve figured out over the years. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />No one wants to look like a fool, but everyone does sometimes. Fairly often, actually. And it’s OK.<br /><br />Have you ever had that situation where you are about to greet someone, but for whatever reason you can’t decide whether to say “hi” or “hello” and it comes out “hi-llo”? Happens to me at least once a month. When this happens I could dwell on it and maybe never talk to that guy again, but I have learned that he’s going to forget it within 20 seconds, so I’ve decided it’s not worth my time to keep that moment alive in my own mind. <br /><br />Humans are fallible, goofy creatures. We are going to do embarrassing things. Our problem is that we want to deny that part of humanity and let ourselves get so caught up in worrying about doing the wrong thing that we shut down our instinctual ability to just react to stuff properly.<br /><br />When I was much younger I used to think I would never have a girlfriend until I had a car and money for dates (and sparkling wit, and lots of really cool hair on my head). At some point though, I realized that other guys had no car and no money, and yet they had girlfriends. I still don’t know if I was making excuses so I didn’t have to deal with dating, or if I was just operating under this ridiculous set of requirements for having a girlfriend. Don’t get me wrong, a car and money are nice things, but the girl or boy who really likes you won’t care about them. <br /><br />As I've gotten older I’ve expanded this realization to other aspects of social interaction. For example, if you think you have nothing to offer a conversation because you don’t have a thrilling life story, or that you’re not funny enough to make people laugh, guess what? The vast majority of people live very tame lives and are no more funny than you are, and they still meet people and make friends. What I realized is that when I say “I can’t” because of some set of prerequisites I’ve set for myself, I've just set up an artificial barrier to getting what I want.<br /><br />Have you ever seen someone really dumb getting through life just fine? I’m not trying to make fun of anyone, just trying to point out that I’ve seen really stupid people who still get what they want. I think that the reason they succeed is that they don’t ask themselves “what if I do this wrong?” and they don't dwell on their failures. I think we could all learn a LOT from stupid people. <br /><br />Fear is a huge motivator. Yeah, it’s wise to ask “what if I get this wrong?” when you’re building a nuclear reactor, but it really doesn’t matter when you’re just looking for some new friends, or even a date. There are billions of people on the planet. If you make a complete idiot of yourself, you can always find someone new to hang out with. <br /><br />But you really won’t have to find someone new, if you like the people you’re with. Here’s a huge discovery I wish I had made earlier in life: what people think of you is nowhere near as important as you think it is. There are two reasons for this: other people won’t care about or remember 90% of the stuff you do, and you’re just as important as they are.<br /><br />Think about that first part. How many embarrassing things can you remember other people doing? Try and make a list of ten embarrassing things that one person you know has done. It won’t be easy. <br /><br />Now think about the second part. Do you ever worry you’ll say something that makes people think you’re weird? How about doing something silly that makes people laugh at you? Worrying about that makes no sense; the implication is that you need to suppress your own personality because other people might be offended by something you say. So what? You can’t control what other people think, so why worry about it? Unless you’re talking to a judge or someone similar who holds your fate in their hands, don’t worry about what they think.&nbsp; <br /><br />Your life, personality, interests, everything about you is just as important as that of other people. There are people who make it seem like football or fashion or politics are the most important things on the planet, but those are just their interests. You might be into literature or science or grammar, all of which are equally important (in the universal scheme of things). As long as you’re not shoving your interests onto people who don’t like them, like what you like and don’t worry about it. <br /><br />I think I can boil that down to: people should respect you and you should respect them as equally important. More importantly, you should respect yourself.<br /><br />You’re here, reading this, which means you got this far in life with nothing but what you know, and you haven’t irrevocably screwed anything up yet. If you discover a situation where you truly need something you don’t have, find a way to get it. Otherwise, move forward with what you do have. There will always be situations when you think “that could have gone better” but by then you can't change it, so let it go and move on to the next thing. NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-60061030281019390412018-12-10T21:37:00.001-05:002018-12-11T11:05:09.357-05:00Nerdy and Geeky Gifts Guide - Winter 2018 EditionIt's that time of year again. Maybe you’re coming up on Christmas, or it's Hanukkah, or Hogswatch or possibly some other holiday. <br /><br />Or maybe you refuse to acknowledge holidays. <br /><br />Doesn't matter. <br /><br />You know why? <b>Because December is a big month for gift giving, so deal with it.</b> <br /><br />And while you're passing around gift baskets, you ought to do right by your nerdy friends. Sure, you could spring for a Loot Crate subscription, an Enterpise-shaped pizza cutter, or even Smash Bros Ultimate, but those are the gifts you’ll find on any old “Top 53 Geek Gifts” list thrown together by a news outlet where the nearest thing they've got to a nerd is the reporter who knows the first line of the Spider-man cartoon theme, but couldn't tell you who Miles Morales is. <br /><br />So <i>you’re</i> here because you want to show that you’ve dug deeper than Buzzfeed and the Dallas Morning Herald. <br /><br /><b>You're here because you want to show you care!</b><br /><br />Hold onto your hat because here it is: the long awaited, extra thoughtful, <i>Nerdy and Geeky Gifts Guide for 2018, Winter Edition!</i><br /><br />Items in this list range from super affordable to fairly expensive, so you should be able to find something appropriate for any nerd you know. I try to locate gifts suitable for nerdy and geeky people of all walks of life, both girls and boys, and I’ve also tried to sort things a little bit to make it easier for you. I do not own all of these items, but I avoid suggesting things that get bad reviews. I won’t recommend something that I wouldn’t buy for my own friends.<br /><br /><i>Full disclosure: I am not selling any of these items myself, but if you use one of my links I may get a reward, which helps pay for The Nerd Manual. Even if you don’t buy one of these items, I hope the list gives you some ideas for gifts that your nerd friends will love!</i><br /><br />Ready? Let's go!<br /><br /><b>For nerdy kids...of varying ages</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2QjovuU" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="800" height="190" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71ccKnkocYL._SL1002_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2QjovuU" target="_blank">LittleBits</a> have earned all sorts of awards for their inventor kits, and their <a href="https://amzn.to/2QjovuU" target="_blank">Droid Kit</a> combines robotics, coding, AND Star Wars. What more could you ask for?<br /><br />Learn how to control electronics with 22 block-based coding missions that are as simple as stacking Legos, but teach you to build an instruction set for your droid. Once you've worked through all the missions, you can build your own code and personalize your droid. Note: this requires an iOS or Android device to load the app for coding.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Ppr0qv" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="667" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91i9K9lHkrL._SL1500_.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><br /><br />The unfortunately named <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ppr0qv" target="_blank">Klutz Paper Flying Dragons Craft Kit</a> will introduce you to six flying <span id="goog_714535778"></span><span id="goog_714535779"></span>dragons from a variety of terrains--even including a steampunk dragon--with a fairly detailed book that not only gives you the lore behind each creature, but instructions for making great folds, checking your dragons' symmetry, and tweaking them so they fly the way you want. Seriously, everything you need to start flying dragons is in this kit, even the tape.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="qtext_para">The DC Super Hero Girls series is just plain cool, and offers a variety of gift choices whether the kid you have in mind is nerdy or not. I really like that the dolls aren't wearing high heels, their bodies and hair are sturdy, and their limbs actually move...you know...like a real person's.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Ef8Nd6" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="481" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81Jkv4pDD3L._SL1500_.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><div class="qtext_para"></div><div class="qtext_para"></div><div class="qtext_para"></div><div class="qtext_para">I like the 6" action figures made of durable plastic so the girls can stand up to heavy duty play time, and they come individually, like <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ef8Nd6" target="_blank">Bumble Bee</a>, or in sets, like the <a href="https://amzn.to/2UzH3FT" target="_blank">Triple Team</a>. If you know someone who has the dolls but not the comics, you can get four entire story arcs in the <a href="https://amzn.to/2EiGMld" target="_blank">Super Hero Girls Boxed Set</a>. And of course there are <a href="https://amzn.to/2EbSRbw" target="_blank">Super Hero Girls coloring books</a>.&nbsp;</div><div class="qtext_para"></div><div class="qtext_para"></div><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2UneSK3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71%2B32Fi-3FL._SL1000_.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><br />Learn about acids, bases, DNA, electricity, and more with the <a href="https://amzn.to/2UneSK3" target="_blank">Playz Explosive Kitchen Lab</a>. This activity kit uses normal stuff you find in your kitchen like lemons and slices of bread as the key components of a series of experiments. The guide is easy to follow, but full of detail. Kids under 10 may need some help, but older kids can probably follow the instructions on their own.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2kMxpit" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91m4D0Kle1L._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Make your own tabletop arcade with the <a href="https://amzn.to/2kMxpit" target="_blank">Snap Circuits Arcade kit</a>. Snap Circuits is another multi-award winner, and this kit introduces you to electronics in a game environment that requires no soldering--everything literally snaps together. The 30 Snap Modules come with instructions for 200 projects like a programmable word fan, a two-digit LED display, and even a micro-controller.<br /><br />If you'd like a bit more flexibility, try the <a href="https://amzn.to/2rnEwBr" target="_blank">Snap Circuits Classic</a> that gives you 60 components for 300 projects including a burglar alarm, and a radio. This kit is upgradeable, or you can go straight for the <a href="https://amzn.to/2ro1Wq8" target="_blank">Extreme kit</a> and get 80 components including an analog meter, photoresistor, power amplifier, and solar cell to build 750 projects.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2Llxsgl" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="800" height="166" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81YDy9dY1HL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a>The <a href="https://amzn.to/2Llxsgl" target="_blank">Kamigami Ladybug Robot</a> is a fairly straightforward build-it-yourself robot, but it does more than just follow a line or light. Kamigami bugs skitter over most surfaces and even work outside, and they come with built in sensors that communicate with your mobile device. You can download the free app to drive your ladybug (or one of the other Kamigami robots), do battle with other Kamigami, or you can program your robot to follow commands and react to its environment. The app is graphical, so it's as easy to use as stacking blocks. There are other bots in this line including a praying mantis bot, scorpion bot, and of course a beetle bot, but the ladybug is definitely the cutest.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2xz84iN" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="800" height="168" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91jMeT7v9NL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Ever wanted to be a cosmetics designer? Thames &amp; Kosmos' <a href="https://amzn.to/2xz84iN" target="_blank">Creative Cosmetics Lab</a> lets you create your own cosmetic products like soap, shower jelly, lip balm, and fizzy bath bombs. The set comes with enough ingredients--things like potassium phosphate, tartaric acid, glycerin, and perfume oil--to make all the items in the experiment book, as well as instructions on how to make your own experiments from items purchased at your supermarket. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2QOmRy6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="800" height="133" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71P68TENFYL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2QOmRy6" target="_blank">Botley the Coding Robot</a> is cute as heck and ready to play, but he's way smarter than an Aibo or dancing gorilla. You don't need a computer, or even download an app to your phone, the coding device is a handheld remote with, believe it or not, actual buttons. This is the perfect first coding bot that could lead straight into Lego Mindstorms and perhaps FIRST robitics later on. <br /><br /><br /><br /><b>For gaming nerds</b><br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2Rj762g" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="679" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71UQDdKS-1L._SX679_.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br />Some nerds argue Star Wars vs. Star Trek, while the deeply geeky still morn the end of Joss Whedon's Firefly. But the <a href="https://amzn.to/2Rj762g" target="_blank">Firefly Adventures: Brigands and Browncoats</a> board game lets you skirmish with with goons in the Eavesdown docks. This is a fairly sophisticated tabletop game with a unique turn order mechanic, and characters who all have different abilities. Terrain is included, even the bottom of the box has a role to play in your adventures.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Sb1yXu" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81ANuwKPXRL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Do you have friends who are into roleplaying? I bet they can always use a new set of dice. Why not give them something classier than a box of colored polyhedral plastic and spring for a set of <a href="https://amzn.to/2Sb1yXu" target="_blank">metal gaming dice</a>. Heavy, shiny, available in different colors, what's not to like. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, if you've got a video gamer friend who isn't already on a <a href="https://www.humblebundle.com/monthly" target="_blank">Humble Bundle</a> subscription, you need to remedy that situation. Humble offers bundles of games worth at least $100 each month, and you'll pay less than that for an entire year's subscription. The best part of this deal is that Humble donates 5% to charities.<br /><br /><br /><b>For nerds who like gadgets</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Psu45e" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61ML9ImyhqL._SL1200_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br />Do you know someone who wants to get into drones, but hasn't made the leap because it's an expensive hobby? The <a href="https://amzn.to/2Psu45e" target="_blank">Tello Quadcopter</a> is an easy gateway. For under $100 you get a camera quadcopter that's smaller than a paperback book, but takes photos and streams 720p video to your smartphone. I've used mine to inspect roofs for leaks after a storm came through...and drone derby day. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2EaUhTF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71s5PbpIjOL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />If you've got a gadget lover who's prone to misplacing things, whether that's car keys or quadrotor drones, Tile has a solution. Use the <a href="https://amzn.to/2EaUhTF" target="_blank">Tile Mate and Tile Slim</a> to keep track of whatever you attach these little guys to. I've heard that people have found their lost dogs thanks to Tile, but you might come up with other creative uses. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>For nerds who like putting things together</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2L4yzlG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91ZeEoyc6JL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />I'm leading with the heavy hitter in this category. The <a href="https://amzn.to/2L4yzlG" target="_blank">Lego Apollo Saturn V Building Kit</a> is a drool-worthy model that, at $105, is definitely a splurge gift, but if you know a space nerd who enjoys assembling things, this is worth it. You get 1,969 pieces (commemorating the year Apollo 11 launched) that assemble into the Saturn V rocket with all its stages, the command and lunar modules, splashdown version of the capsule, two astronauts, and even a flag. This thing is huge, a meter tall, and can be displayed vertically, ready for launch, or horizontally on the included display stands.<br /><br />However, if your nerd friend isn't inclined to assemble that many pieces, or is maybe a little more zany, there's always the <a href="https://amzn.to/2rva74c" target="_blank">Lego Bat-Space Shuttle</a> from the Lego Batman Movie. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2C244dt" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71o4QIun69L._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Get a set of these <a href="https://amzn.to/2C244dt" target="_blank">"Neon" Light Strings</a> and turn your life into a perpetual 1980s video. The electroluminescent wire is flexible enough to bend into almost any shape, and it's water resistant so you can use it outdoors if the mood strikes you. The uses are endless--party decorations, car customization, cosplaying details, fashion accenting, music video effects, and whatever else you can think of doing with a non-toxic, cool to the touch, nearly amorphous, glowing light strand. <br /><br /><br /><br />As always, I'm recommending the Raspberry Pi. It isn't new, but it's still one of the coolest gifts for nerds who like to build their own computers. Raspberry Pi is basically a very small computer that you can program and add to, so you can make anything from a media server to a home security system. You can get everything you need to start out in a <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2Aln5VR" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Raspberry Pi 3 starter kit</a></span>, and there are tons of add-ons including an <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2jy6sht" rel="noopener" target="_blank">HD camera</a></span>, a <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2AiqKWt" rel="noopener" target="_blank">sensor pod</a></span>, and even a <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2i0widB" rel="noopener" target="_blank">touchscreen</a></span>.<br /><br /><br /><b>For quirky nerds</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2rr2g7K" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81trRNi%2BBQL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Behold, the <a href="https://amzn.to/2rr2g7K" target="_blank">TACOsaurus Rex</a>.<br /><br />You can put your tacos in a tyranosaurus rex! <br /><br />What else can I say about this item? Nothing says nerdy like a dinosaur taco holder. Don't eat tacos? No problem. Use it for your sandwiches, your waffles, heck, you can put your wallet or mail in it. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2EbGyMG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="356" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71FTBNQUFkL._SL1500_.jpg" width="88" /></a></div><br /><br />It's only prudent to warn people when you're transporting dangerous liquids, so carry your dangerous liquid in this <a href="https://amzn.to/2EbGyMG" target="_blank">WARNING Dihydrogen Monoxide container</a> and rest easy knowing that no one will accidentally inhale it, make contact with its irritating solid form, or get contact burns from its gaseous form.<br /><br />DISCLAIMER: The Nerd Manual admits no liability for people who choose to knowingly transport dihydrogen monoxide across state lines, or within 100 meters of a day care center. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2E9C9tx" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/819%2BGRVvlIL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Do you know an older computer nerd who remembers the days before WiFi, when you had to sneakernet files between computers using plastic encased floppy discs. Give them a set of <a href="https://amzn.to/2E9C9tx" target="_blank">Floppy Disc Coasters</a> to rekindle that nostalgia. Unlike the hard plastic originals, these are made of colorful silicone, so you can use them as drink coasters, spoon rests or hot pads, microwave them, freeze them, and pop them in the dishwasher when you're done.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2SGCR5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="800" height="136" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61OlAVQQ59L._SL1417_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br />The <a href="https://amzn.to/2SGCR5D" target="_blank">Ototo Nessie Tale</a> bookmark is is by far the cutest bookmark I've seen. The shy and elusive Nessie may not like cameras, but she'll happily keep track of where you are in your latest book adventure. If you don't have them already, be sure to check out the <a href="https://amzn.to/2L8LqmQ" target="_blank">Nessie Family</a> strainer, ladle, and tea infuser. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2L5Fw66" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="800" height="156" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81UHyblM8lL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />With the <a href="https://amzn.to/2L5Fw66" target="_blank">FreezerBoy Magnet Set</a> you can turn your fridge into the world's largest Gameboy, and then write notes to your family or roommates on the 16x12 viewscreen. These are pretty darn large magnets, so they may be a little too large for a dorm fridge, but they're perfect for a full-size refrigerator, or maybe even a top-load washing machine. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2Ed1B10" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91m6ORKsgDL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Test your nerd cred with this page-a-day <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ed1B10" target="_blank">Nerd Trivia Desk Calendar</a> that asks nerdy pop culture questions, takes note of important geek dates, and offers bits of trivia from movies, books, comics, and other resources across the nerd spectrum.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2rsc1lY" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="133" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61fV1aj-INL._SL1417_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>&nbsp; <br />Swooping in to save breakfast, the <a href="https://amzn.to/2rsc1lY" target="_blank">Pan Man spatula</a> is faster than French toast, stronger than a sunny-side-up fried egg, and flips pancakes in a single bound!<br /><br />And it's perfect for morning super heroes. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>As always, I have book recommendations</b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2EfVg55" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="623" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1dW7HPjPAL.jpg" width="155" /></a></div><br />It's taken a long...long time for us to get a female Doctor Who, but now that she's here we've also got a book dedicated to the women who have been a huge part of the show from the beginning.<br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2EfVg55" target="_blank">Doctor Who: the Women Who Lived</a> is a beautifully illustrated book that looks at all the women of the Whoniverse and they roles they've played in the Doctor's story.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2rtKL6z" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="133" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81Q55-Z5yEL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>&nbsp;Explore the Hogwarts school for witchcraft and wizardry in 3-D without investing in an Oculus Rift! It's easy to dismiss pop-up books as children's fair, but there's some serious engineering skill that went into making the <a href="https://amzn.to/2rtKL6z" target="_blank">Harry Potter Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts</a>, which transform into a vast, three-dimensional map of Hogwarts that includes the Castle, Quidditch pitch, Forbidden Forest, and even tiny surprises like the Weasley's flying Ford Anglia.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2SGEiRz" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="800" height="178" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91gwMp2J9KL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Trek nerds can drool over all the Starfleet starships in two volumes, with a third volume covering Klingon craft coming in May.<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2SGEiRz" target="_blank">Star Trek Shipyards Starfleet Ships: 2151-2293</a> collects all the Eaglemoss publications for their ship models from Zefram Cochrane's Phoenix up to the Enterprise-B--the ship where Kirk was lost--and includes all the Starfleet ships from Discovery.<br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2QKMmDl" target="_blank">Star Trek Shipyards Starfleet Ships: 2294 to the Future</a> covers the Enterprise, NCC-1701-D, Voyager, and Defiant. The final chapter features time traveling ships from the distant future. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Sb24Vq" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="627" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81HHsBqXVaL.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><br />Holy carp, this book is awesome. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Sb24Vq" target="_blank">Dungeons &amp; Dragons: Art &amp; Arcana</a> is a gorgeous book for D&amp;D nerds, particularly those of us who grew up with the earlier editions of the game and remember the old artwork. Its illustrations trace the development of D&amp;D art across the game's entire history from it's formation under Gary Gygax, through the Wizards of the Coast years. Art comes from core rule books, supplements, Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance novels, Dragon magazine, advertisements, and previously unreleased preleminary art work. If you really want to splurge, there's also a <a href="https://amzn.to/2DWWLFZ" target="_blank">Special Edition with Ephemera</a> that includes a special cover box and extra material.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2EkSUTq" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41yeyavwAfL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2EkSUTq" target="_blank">We are the Nerds: the Birth and Tumultuous Life of Reddit</a>&nbsp; <br /><br />Whether you've been on Reddit since the start, or just discovered Reddit culture, if you'd like to know more about the site's founders and what they went through to make Reddit "the front page of the Internet" We are the Nerds will tell you what it's like to build a global community from scratch. Be warned, just like the Reddit community this book addresses some controversial topics that might offend some readers. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And, to finish up, <a href="https://www.geeksline-publishing.com/" target="_blank">Geeks Line Publishing</a> offers an entire selection of books about retro console gaming. My favorite, the Playstation Anthology, is their celebration of the Playstation gaming console in a full-color tome that traces Sony's journey from the company's creation to the PS's retirement in the early 2000's. Included with the historical information are interviews with industry figures such as Yuji Horii and Hideaki Itsuno. If you're a Playstation fan, you'll enjoy this nostalgic look at the history of the console that changed the face of home gaming.<br /><br />If you want more ideas, you can check out the <a href="https://www.nerdmanual.com/2017/11/nerdy-and-geeky-gifts-guide-winter-2017.html" target="_blank">Nerdy and Geeky Gifts Guide: 2017 Winter Edition</a>, which will have some items that are no longer available but may help spark your gift giving creativity.NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-55962842556152256692018-10-10T20:03:00.000-04:002018-10-10T20:03:05.340-04:00Superpowering Girls!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.womensmediacenter.com/reports/bbca-wmc-superpowering-girls" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="830" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROkG1JjQDtY/W76SfbyRJ7I/AAAAAAAACjk/5mUFIF5PQ4k1I5NI7wOzN_9yI5es8CGjwCLcBGAs/s400/doctor-who-jodie-whittaker.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BBC's New Doctor Makes Girls Believe they Can Be Anything</td></tr></tbody></table>The Women's Media Center and BBC America had a question: what are the roles for women and girls in science fiction and superhero films and television? Actually, they had several questions about the visibility, inclusiveness, and representational presence--or absence--of women in the superhero genre, and what that means to the imaginations of viewers and readers. <br /><br />The answers come in a series of reports that seek to expand the diversity and representation of women and girls in front of and behind the camera. The first report “<a href="http://www.womensmediacenter.com/reports/bbca-wmc-superpowering-girls" target="_blank">SuperPowering Girls: Female Representation in the Sci-Fi/Superhero Genre</a>” considers how the depictions of women on screen impact girls between the ages of 5 and 19.<br /><br />Conclusions? <br /><br />Well, here's the obvious one: kids want to see heroes who look like them.&nbsp; <br /><br />But there was also a desire to see more female heroes across every demographic, even among boys. <br /><br />The study found that heroic representation can impact kids' confidence and self-image, as well as influence their career choices. <br /><br />Another finding: teen girls are significantly less likely than teen boys to describe themselves as confident, brave, and heard, and this is even more significant among girls of color.&nbsp; <br /><br />Julie Burton, president of the Women's Media Center said, “at this time of enormous, sweeping, social change, it’s important that television and film provide an abundance of roles and role models for diverse girls and young women." The research shows "that female sci-fi and superhero characters help bridge the confidence gap for girls, making them feel strong, brave, confident, inspired, positive, and motivated.”<br /><br />BBC America president Sarah Barnett agrees. "If you can’t see her, you can’t be her. It’s time to expand what gets seen, and we hope this report will contribute to sparking change in the stories we see on screen.”<br /><br />Fortunately one of our favorite time traveling heroes is ahead of the game and recently regenerated as a female, and 81% of the girls surveyed said that seeing a female Doctor on <i>Doctor Who</i> makes them feel like they can become anything they want.<br /><br />You can download your own copy of the report from the <a href="http://www.womensmediacenter.com/reports/bbca-wmc-superpowering-girls" target="_blank">WMC Reports</a> site. NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-28964174030679931052018-09-22T21:13:00.004-04:002018-09-22T21:14:43.157-04:00Story Time...from Space!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://storytimefromspace.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcREs_plZG4/W6boBrHWjQI/AAAAAAAACjE/y5RrAH57pNc521C4864Kxwvcwof49IOCgCLcBGAs/s400/RubinsRosie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://storytimefromspace.com/" target="_blank">Astronaut Kate Rubins Reads <i>Rosie Revere Engineer</i></a></td></tr></tbody></table>Have you ever wanted an astronaut to read your kids a bedtime story...from orbit?<br /><br />Well, you can make that happen for your children, or perhaps yourself, with the <a href="https://storytimefromspace.com/" target="_blank">Story Time from Space</a> project.<br /><br />Part of the Global Space Education Foundation, Story Time From Space sends children’s books to the International Space Station where astronauts make videos of themselves reading to the children of Earth. The videos are archived on the Story Time From Space website in their Video Library. The astronauts also conduct educational demonstrations to go along with the books.<br /><br />The books cover a range of space and science related topics, feature a diverse range of characters, and are read by different astronauts on the ISS. There's nothing quite like watching astronaut Kate Rubins floating in front of all the ISS equipment, the hum of the station's machines filling the background, as she opens a copy of <i>Rosie Revere, Engineer</i>. As she reads Rosie's story, you can hear the Russian's talking to Earth on the com system...not something you're likely to hear in your house.<br /><br />At the moment, there are only thirteen books in the <a href="https://storytimefromspace.com/" target="_blank">Story Time from Space</a> project library, which is understandable, considering that the only way to get books up there is via rocket, but hopefully the project can add more with each launch. NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-87803335800202992802018-07-31T20:57:00.002-04:002018-07-31T20:57:37.210-04:00Library Ninja<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/noii/3057321378/in/photolist-TTLtau-5Eaz8y-A1uL8-Scfkx9-cixQU1-9JJCtf-SLoTiY-qvSVqy-i7mt8P-cixQKA-fh3n68-7gWbTi-cixQBh-cixQT3-4CmDaa-6YW8Cp-6tLtcQ-qtE8CG-cixQMq-cixQNY-niypKX-7XKHgd-btSmh3-fh3mQk-fh3mZv-qvSMcu-Arpis-6tqcjT-6tuku3-5E68TF-Arsai-SLoTt7-FerMS-DEZDPP-TZeVyo-SLoTn5-kR7bgP-kR7XsP-kR97KW-9JJDms" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQV2P60O9ZY/W2EED43jOfI/AAAAAAAACf0/h1aco5XN6XAJyPveC6BX2FdpNY2Y-t0NACPcBGAYYCw/s640/NinjaAmongstTheBooksByBenDaltonFlickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/noii/3057321378/in/photolist-TTLtau-5Eaz8y-A1uL8-Scfkx9-cixQU1-9JJCtf-SLoTiY-qvSVqy-i7mt8P-cixQKA-fh3n68-7gWbTi-cixQBh-cixQT3-4CmDaa-6YW8Cp-6tLtcQ-qtE8CG-cixQMq-cixQNY-niypKX-7XKHgd-btSmh3-fh3mQk-fh3mZv-qvSMcu-Arpis-6tqcjT-6tuku3-5E68TF-Arsai-SLoTt7-FerMS-DEZDPP-TZeVyo-SLoTn5-kR7bgP-kR7XsP-kR97KW-9JJDms" target="_blank">Ninja Among the Books</a> - Ben Dalton</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There was a time when ninja were the badasses of popular culture, then the market reached saturation, things took a turn, and the only people who were interested in ninja anymore were people actually practicing ninjutsu...and nerds.<br /><br />Maybe ninja are cool again--there was that whole ninja pirate thing, and the Ninja Turtles seem to be hanging on--but I believe they still have some nerd cred.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />Need evidence? An original Edo period ninja textbook was discovered this March in, of all places, the Hirosaki City Public Library. Seems like a pretty innocuous place to hold your ninja meetings. No one would suspect your manga club is actually a group of assassins, and ninjas are known for being quiet, which would fit perfectly in the public library.<br /><br />(By the way, if your ninja group is looking for a meeting place, let me know. I may have space in my library.) <br /><br />The textbook is only twelve pages, but contains instructions for making weapons, blinding powder, and a sleeping potion, along with strategic advice such as how to use tatami to secure your room when staying at an inn. The book even has stains that were apparently left while ninja were concocting some of the recipes in the text.<br /><br />Shigeto Kiyokawa, a pharmacy professor and advisor for the Aomori University ninja club (why didn't I know there was a ninja club when I was choosing my college?), believes that, based on similarities to other textbooks, it was meant to "hand down ninja techniques to the next generation in around 1756 by the ninja group Hayamichinomono," which served the Hirosaki feudal clan. He points out that it's the first ninja text found in Aomori Prefecture, but he hopes that people who know of similar texts will come forward.<br /><br />Information on the text is sparse, but you can read a bit more at <a href="http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201807250001.html" target="_blank">The Asahi Shimbun</a>.<br />Of course, you'll want to see what the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aodaininja/" target="_blank">Aomori University Ninja</a> are doing.<br /><br />NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-8455406092267872932018-06-29T13:59:00.002-04:002018-06-29T14:01:23.212-04:00Nerdism: MOTD<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8yxF27_Jrs/WzZynD_3fwI/AAAAAAAACfU/PFoeeQsC4bc7R_CNVLHbFSzj1ut6DSBXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Cowsay_Typical_Output.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="137" data-original-width="217" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8yxF27_Jrs/WzZynD_3fwI/AAAAAAAACfU/PFoeeQsC4bc7R_CNVLHbFSzj1ut6DSBXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Cowsay_Typical_Output.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ASCII Talking Cow</td></tr></tbody></table>In nerd circles, MOTD is an initialism for Message Of The Day (although it might mean Match of the Day in sports talk, so consider the context carefully).<br /><br />MOTD dates back to the earliest days of computer connections when system administrators wanted to make sure all users got a message, but didn’t want to send the message to each person individually. The solution was to set up an automatically executed file that displayed a message when a user logged into the system.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://gitlab.com/mattia.basaglia/ASCII-Pony" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="455" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80Px8eqo_Xs/WzZxmDL8DzI/AAAAAAAACfI/4I7iH6xvTmQl4BGaHv7i67TgxiXg2f5fgCLcBGAs/s200/ascii_derpy_by_mattbas-d6tgfza.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pony by <a href="https://gitlab.com/mattia.basaglia/ASCII-Pony" target="_blank">Mattbas</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Usually the MOTD didn’t change much, and included things like rules for using the system and basic instructions such as what to type to get help documentation, although the MOTD might also spit out information about the user’s last login, the system uptime, or even the weather. Admins sometimes got creative with their messages, offering pearls of wisdom in the form of fortune cookies or the ubiquitous talking cow. Some MOTDs even included complex ASCII art depicting anything from dragons to flowers to portraits of musicians, or even ponies of the friendly magical variety.<br /><br /><br /><br />In the early days you could find MOTDs on UNIX systems and dial-up BBSs--both of which are difficult, but not impossible to access as of 2018--but MOTDs can still be easily found on multiplayer games such as Call of Duty or Battlefield, and of course you can see the MOTD at the beginning of all the Nerd Manual podcasts. NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-55560518995166650532018-06-10T19:47:00.003-04:002018-06-10T19:57:48.346-04:00Real-Life Nerds: NerdBurger GamesI lost a friend at the Southern Fried Gaming Expo (not tragically, I just misplaced him), and while I was walking around looking for him I passed this vendor's table with a few books on display. I'm telling myself, "it's just RPGs, you have enough of those already and you need to keep walking," but the title <i>Murders and Acquisitions</i> grabs me by the collar and turns me toward the table.<br /><br />While I was a little surprised at being manhandled by an RPG manual, I'm glad it happened, because the guy at the table, Craig Campbell, was really cool and also happened to be the game designer for <a href="http://www.nerdburgergames.com/" target="_blank">NerdBurger Games</a>. I talked with Craig for far to brief a time, because I had to go find my aforementioned friend, but I picked up his business card (more on that later) so I could look him up online when I got home.<br /><br />If you've never heard of <a href="http://www.nerdburgergames.com/" target="_blank">NerdBurger</a> before, you need to go visit the site. Like, now. Just stop reading this and go spend some time over there. You'll find descriptions of Craig's games, you can purchase <i>Murders and Acquisitions</i> as well as NerdBurger's newest title <i>Capers</i>--an RPG set in the roaring twenties featuring super-powered gangsters, and listen to the NerdBurger podcast, which will give you an idea of why I'm so glad I stopped and talked to Craig.<br /><br />This guy is a gaming genius.<br /><br />Remember that business card I mentioned? He's got the entire RPG manual for <i>Lucky Dino-Robo-Pirates</i> on the card. How does he do it? You'll have to get a business card from him to find out.<br /><br />It's worth it. Check out <a href="http://www.nerdburgergames.com/" target="_blank">NerdBurger</a> and have some fun.&nbsp; NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-61439184068152526432018-06-05T19:40:00.000-04:002018-06-05T19:40:49.162-04:00Nerdy Competition: Congressional App Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6tC9xdTGKg/WxcfPhyKHtI/AAAAAAAACek/04VHMaVOb4onr-HHs6d9R_qQ6PlNpiWogCLcBGAs/s1600/app-challenge-logo-transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="600" height="75" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6tC9xdTGKg/WxcfPhyKHtI/AAAAAAAACek/04VHMaVOb4onr-HHs6d9R_qQ6PlNpiWogCLcBGAs/s320/app-challenge-logo-transparent.png" width="320" /></a></div>The <a href="http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/" target="_blank">Congressional App Challenge</a> opened this week, and their website specifically says that earlier registrations have a better chance at winning, so go on and register today!<br /><br />(This challenge is only open to middle and high school students in the US and its territories--apologies to any of my older readers or visitors from other countries who got their hopes up.)<br /><br />The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is an annual competition hosted by members of Congress meant to encourage kids to learn how to code. Not all members of Congress participate, so if you don't find your representatives on the CAC list, send them a tweet, give them a call, or write a letter.<br /><br />According to the website any kind of app, in any programming language, on any platform qualifies for entry, as long as it's original (not a copy of an existing app). So if you want to program an app for an autonomous lawn sprinkler in Rust, go right ahead.<br /><br />The competition offers recognition by members of Congress, prizes, and the winning apps go on display in the Capitol building in Washington, DC.<br /><br />One of the coolest aspects of the CAC is its aim to bridge the gender, geographic, and racial gaps in tech by encouraging future tech innovators from a variety of backgrounds. Participant demographics for previous App Challenges surpassed all tech industry diversity metrics, so they're doing something right.<br /><br />Submissions are accepted through October 15th, but the rules strongly suggest registering before September 10th, so find your representative and sign up early! NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-65125304412326462952018-03-23T17:35:00.004-04:002018-03-23T17:35:59.548-04:00The Mr. Rogers From an Alternate Universe<span data-offset-key="ckou-0-0"><span data-text="true">You saw it here first...unless of course you subscribe to Adi Shankar's Bootleg Universe...in which case, maybe just watch it again.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span data-offset-key="ckou-0-0"><span data-text="true">Shankar--who also made the Castlevania animated series possible, and brought us a dark sequel to the Power Rangers saga (BEFORE the 2017 movie reboot)--produced this Kenlon Clark re-imagining of an alternate Fred Rogers who spent time in Vietnam before he decided to change the face of children's television.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span data-offset-key="ckou-0-0"><span data-text="true">This is a gritty, NSFW version of Mr. Rogers, but one who carries around a swear jar.</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ab0D0gKlsdA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-68521439376638944262018-03-14T09:36:00.001-04:002018-03-14T09:36:32.363-04:00Project MARS Competition Now Open<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/system/resources/detail_files/21472_pia22207_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="800" height="228" src="https://mars.nasa.gov/system/resources/detail_files/21472_pia22207_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curiosity Rover - NASA</td></tr></tbody></table>Humans are taking our first steps toward actually setting foot on Mars. When astronauts venture to the planet, what will they see? How will they feel? What will they experience? What will they do? <a href="http://projectmarscompetition.com/" target="_blank">Project Mars</a> invites college students and early career professionals to learn about NASA’s deep space endeavors, including the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket and deep space gateway concept, and create their visualization of what this expedition may look like.<br /><br /><br /><br />SHOOT A FILM<br />Bring your interpretation of NASA’s work to send humans to Mars to life through breathtaking cinematography, amazing animations and state-of-the-art special effects. You have up to 5 minutes to tell an inspiring story about a 9-month trek to the red planet, so captivating creativity is a must! The winning short film will be selected by a team of film and graphic design industry judges including Gareth Edwards, director of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Grand prize is $10,000.<br /><br />MAKE A POSTER<br />Recruit brave astronauts for a daring mission, promote space tourism for the adventurous, or depict the next generation of space systems that will transport new world explorers to Mars. The sky is not the limit when you design a poster for the deep space journey, so reach out to infinity and beyond for creative ideas. The winning poster will be selected by a team of film and graphic design industry judges including Joshua Grossberg, creative director of McCann New York. First place prize is $1500.<br /><br /><a href="http://projectmarscompetition.com/" target="_blank">http://projectmarscompetition.com/ </a>NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-34665842546486989022018-02-28T20:11:00.002-05:002018-02-28T20:12:25.174-05:00Discover the Real Life History Behind Hogwarts<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJeLEenQcD4/WpdShhq-HqI/AAAAAAAACd0/cR7lD9WLnUA_DCGeiM-aP1Z3kf2O81cgwCLcBGAs/s1600/Flamel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="994" height="170" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJeLEenQcD4/WpdShhq-HqI/AAAAAAAACd0/cR7lD9WLnUA_DCGeiM-aP1Z3kf2O81cgwCLcBGAs/s200/Flamel.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memoir of Nicolas Flamel</td></tr></tbody></table>The British Library collaborated with Google's Arts &amp; Culture collection to open up their <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/project/harry-potter-a-history-of-magic" target="_blank">Harry Potter: a History of Magic</a> exhibition to anyone with an Internet collection.<br /><br />If you couldn't get to the British Library for their exhibition in real life, you can still see J K Rowling's handwritten notes and Jim Kay's original illustrations for the books alongside rare books on alchemy and magic from the library's special collections. Who knows, you may be able to decipher the Ripley scroll and recover the secret to the elixir of life. NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-50944340997605834922018-02-09T09:51:00.000-05:002018-02-09T09:51:22.739-05:00Coloring in Library Books<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ColorOurCollections?src=hash" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="927" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ12szX3fIQ/Wn20xS7Ie_I/AAAAAAAACdQ/BSWSYkm2KiYJqAlRAmVvLO6xqJATGuUggCLcBGAs/s200/DVM8SAsX4AE2IxH.jpg" width="154" /></a>This could be fun.<br /><br />Libraries around the world have posted images from their collections, and you can use them as coloring pages. The images range from scenery to complex patterns.<br /><br />There's a whole <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ColorOurCollections?src=hash" target="_blank">Twitter chain</a> about it, #ColorOurCollections.<br /><br />Usually coloring in the books will get you kicked out of the library, so embrace this rare opportunity.NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-69177176201952575782018-02-06T20:57:00.001-05:002018-02-06T20:57:22.413-05:00Want to Help Develop an App for Making Friends?Interested in an app designed to help make new friends?<br /><br />Yeah, sounds like similar to most social network apps, but it's supposed to help you meet people with similar interests.&nbsp; <br /><br />From u/voidupdate's <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/MakeNewFriendsHere/comments/7vn2x0/im_working_on_an_app_for_meeting_new_people_with/" target="_blank">original Reddit post</a>, you can link to a fairly quick Google survey asking questions about meeting new people, finding things to do, and how frustrating you think it is to schedule activities with a group, so this app may be similar to Meetup. &nbsp; NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-88408682190255121622018-01-28T21:59:00.000-05:002018-01-28T22:03:23.402-05:00The Book That CAN Hurt You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ONMU_8wk9Z0/Wm6M4WR4iZI/AAAAAAAACc4/ZQLN2vgVmGYvXnt3xFUkWlwoNkvsZwSIgCEwYBhgL/s1600/wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ONMU_8wk9Z0/Wm6M4WR4iZI/AAAAAAAACc4/ZQLN2vgVmGYvXnt3xFUkWlwoNkvsZwSIgCEwYBhgL/s640/wallpaper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>All this time I've been telling everyone that books can't hurt people, so there's no reason to get out your pitchforks and torches and run to the library to ban them. <br /><br />Turns out I was wrong. <br /><br />There's at least one book that could kill you (maybe there are more, I haven't checked). <br /><br />The book Shadows from the Walls of Death: Facts and Inferences Prefacing a Book of Specimens of Arsenical Wall Papers by Robert Kedzie contains a collection of wallpaper samples...that are toxic. I am uncertain if reading the book could actually kill anyone, but most libraries that owned copies eventually removed them from their collections and destroyed them. So, it's a pretty rare title. The remaining copies are in special collections, and their pages are encapsulated in plastic so the arsenic can't hurt anyone. <br /><br />Kind of makes those parents who storm the library and demand that Harry Potter be removed from the shelves look a little silly.<br /><br /><br />You can actually look at a digital copy of one of these books at the <a href="https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-0234555-bk" target="_blank">National Library of Medicine</a>. As far as I know, you can't get arsenic poisoning over the Internet.NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-5642399366979903272017-11-29T21:50:00.000-05:002018-12-11T10:37:35.042-05:00Nerdy and Geeky Gifts Guide - Winter 2017 EditionMaybe you’re into Christmas, Hanukkah, Hogswatch, or some other holiday. <br /><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Maybe you refuse to acknowledge holidays. </div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Doesn't matter. You know why? Because <b>December is a big month for gift giving, so deal with it.</b></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">While you're passing around gift baskets, you ought to do right by your nerdy friends. Sure, you could spring for a Loot Crate subscription, an Enterpise-shaped pizza cutter, or a even a Nintendo Switch (which would certainly be welcome in my house), but those are the gifts you’ll find on any lame “Top 53 Geek Gifts” list thrown together by a news outlet where the nearest thing they've got to a nerd is the reporter who once watched part of Ghostbusters by mistake when he walked into the wrong theater.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">You’re here because you want to show that you’ve dug deeper than Buzzfeed and the Dallas Morning Herald.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><b>You're here because you want to show you care!</b></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Hold onto your hats because here it is: the extra thoughtful, <i>Nerdy and Geeky Gifts Guide for 2017. Winter Edition</i>!<br /><a name='more'></a></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Items in this list range from super affordable to fairly expensive, so you should be able to find something appropriate for any nerd you know. I try to locate gifts suitable for nerdy and geeky people of all walks of life, both girls and boys, and I’ve also tried to sort things a little bit to make it easier for you. I do not own all of these items, but I try to avoid suggesting things that get bad reviews. I won’t recommend something that I wouldn’t buy for my own friends.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">You will notice a lot of comic book themed items on this gift list. That's what I'm into right now, and these are things on my own wish list (or that I already bought), so you can trust that these are desirable items.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><i>Full disclosure: I am not selling any of these items myself, but if you use one of my links I get a reward, which helps pay for The Nerd Manual. Even if you don’t buy one of these items, I hope the list gives you some ideas for gifts that your nerd friends will love!</i></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Let's jump in.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><b>For nerdy kids...of varying ages</b></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">This stormtrooper-white <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link tooltip_parent" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" data-tooltip="attached" href="http://amzn.to/2iXvRll" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Star Wars First Order smartwatch</a></span> from Vtech is designed for kids, but I wouldn't mind having one myself. The touchscreen allows you to play games, the motion sensor activates <i>Star Wars</i> sounds, you can take pictures and videos, and you can even use it to tell time with 30 different <i>Star Wars</i> clock faces. It also comes in <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2idTatW" rel="noopener" target="_blank">black</a></span>.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-17126ab6067218de71cf63745f6db3fd-c" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="landscape qtext_image zoomable_in_feed" src="https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-17126ab6067218de71cf63745f6db3fd-c" /></a></div><div class="qtext_para">The Hasbro Black Series is known for collector-grade replicas, and their <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2jwFdEa" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Poe Dameron helmet</a></span> might be the perfect touch for a ComicCon costume.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Bring strategy and augmented reality to your HotWheels races with <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2y5ANMN" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Osmo MindRacers</a></span>. Attach an iPad to the launcher and your HotWheels cars blast into different virtual tracks where you can use tokens that do things like boost your car's speed or make your opponent spin out. If you don't have any Osmo games or kits already, make sure to get the one with the iPad base.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><a href="https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c7dae94a2012ce643ecbdd222bb2b968-c" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="portrait qtext_image zoomable_in_feed" src="https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c7dae94a2012ce643ecbdd222bb2b968-c" /></a> </div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">The DC Super Hero Girls series of dolls are just plain cool, and a good gift choice whether the kid you have in mind is nerdy or not. I really like that the dolls aren't wearing high heels, their bodies and hair are sturdy, and their limbs actually move...you know...like a real person's.&nbsp;</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">The 12" dolls include heroic characters like <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2zA8fJS" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Supergirl</a></span> and <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2ig1bi7" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Starfire</a></span>, as well as the not-so-heroic characters like <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2iggC9M" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Harley Quinn</a></span> and <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2igvbuj" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Poison Ivy</a></span>. The 6" action figures (yes, action figures) include the same characters, but their outfits are tough plastic rather than fabric. You can get them individually, like <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2ig5w4C" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hawkgirl</a></span> here, or in sets <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2ifMEmH" rel="noopener" target="_blank">like this 6-Pack</a></span>. Of course, there are plenty of accessories, like <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2icX3iR" rel="noopener" target="_blank">the sticker set</a></span> if you know someone who already has the dolls.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7lBZ7OUEm0/Wi3Zua1hNXI/AAAAAAAACbM/Xjxg6NRyaLU4exTaieeKUduFm-OmemYDgCLcBGAs/s1600/starwarsLP_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="400" height="190" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7lBZ7OUEm0/Wi3Zua1hNXI/AAAAAAAACbM/Xjxg6NRyaLU4exTaieeKUduFm-OmemYDgCLcBGAs/s200/starwarsLP_.jpg" width="200" /></a><b> For serious Star Wars nerds…</b><br /><br />The <a href="http://amzn.to/2Bu3Igz">40th anniversary A New Hope 3 LP Set on Vinyl</a> is a tad expensive, but if you know a HUGE Star Wars fan, they would probably be your best friend if you gave this as a gift.<br /><br />The records come inside a picture book with photos from the film and behind the scenes, and the whole thing comes in its own slipcase. The John Williams score has been remastered for this set, and pressed on heavy vinyl. The third LP even comes with a hologram of the Death Star etched on it.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><b>For nerds who like putting things together...</b></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">If you liked the look of the <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2xZxrcw" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Millennium Falcon</a></span> in <i>The Force Awakens</i>, take a look at the gorgeously detailed <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2xZxrcw" rel="noopener" target="_blank">1/144 Scale kit</a></span> from Bandai. It's a snap together kit, so isn't overly difficult to assemble, but you can customize it to your desired level with your own paint job.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">The creators at Metal Earth 3-D have model sets for pretty much anything nerdy. They give you the satisfaction of assembling something by hand, and the metal looks fantastic. Here are just a few of their themed sets:</div><ul><li><i>Star Wars</i> - set of 5 ships: <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2iPqUuI" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Millennium Falcon, X-Wing, Imperial Star Destroyer, TIE Fighter, and Darth Vader's TIE Fighter</a></span> . I would definitely spring for the <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2hTx10l" rel="noopener" target="_blank">R2D2 and C-3PO Box Set</a></span>.</li><li><i>Star Trek</i> - set of 4 ships: <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2i7dBZF" rel="noopener" target="_blank">USS Enterprise NCC-1701D, Klingon Vor'Cha Class, Klingon Bird-of-Prey, and USS Enterprise NCC-1701</a></span>.</li><li><i>Doctor Who</i> - set of 4 models: <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2zqtttH" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Tardis, Dalek, Cyberman, and K-9</a></span></li><li>Real Spacecraft - set of 6: <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2zplJbm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hubble Telescope, Apollo Lunar Rover, Apollo Lunar Module, Mars Rover, Kepler Telescope, and Voyager Probe</a></span>.</li><li>While I haven’t seen a <i>Game of Thrones</i> set, there is a <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2jYXZrJ" rel="noopener" target="_blank">silver dragon kit</a></span> to satisfy fantasy fans.</li></ul><div class="qtext_para">WREBBIT has a whole line of challenging <i>Harry Potter</i> 3-D puzzles to consider, including <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2i5o3k8" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Diagon Alley</a></span>, <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2hRNodx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hogwarts Great Hall</a></span>, <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2BmGx4t" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hogwarts Astronomy Tower</a></span> and a host of other 3-D recreations that you assemble like puzzles.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><b>For nerds who like games...</b></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Fans of the <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2AdBR0D" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Arkham Horror board game</a></span> will go mad for the <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2A8VCZr" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Arkham Horror card game</a></span>, which blends all the Lovecraftian elements of the original with the collectable aspects of Magic: the Gathering, including several expansion packs like <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2Bj4DwV" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Dunwich Legacy</a></span> and <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2i67vJ0" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Path to Carcosa</a></span>.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_image_wrapper"></div><div class="qtext_para">Make the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs, then buy up the whole quadrant in <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2jx1rG3" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Star Wars Monopoly</a></span>. It plays like the classic Monopoly game, where you try to ruin your opponents by buying everything and bankrupting them, but the board is a tad different since it’s galaxy shaped.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Rick and Morty fans can build their own version of Anatomy Park, complete with bodily reactions, in the <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2BnLiuA" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Anatomy Park board game</a></span>.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><b>For nerds who are a little hard to pin down...</b></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">The Raspberry Pi isn't new, but it's still one of the coolest gifts for nerds who like to build their own computers. Raspberry Pi is basically a very small computer that you can program and add to, so you can make anything from a media server to a home security system. You can get everything you need to start out in a <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2Aln5VR" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Raspberry Pi 3 starter kit</a></span>, and there are tons of add-ons including an <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2jy6sht" rel="noopener" target="_blank">HD camera</a></span>, a <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2AiqKWt" rel="noopener" target="_blank">sensor pod</a></span>, and even a <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2i0widB" rel="noopener" target="_blank">touchscreen</a></span>.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Do you know a nerd with a subversive side? Consider this <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" data-tooltip="attached" href="http://amzn.to/2jw3xpG" rel="noopener" target="_blank">practice lock pick kit</a></span> (perfectly legal) that comes with tools and see-through locks so you can learn how the locks work. This isn't a professional set, but is good for beginner's practice. Most lock pickers will agree that you can learn everything on Youtube, but if your nerd likes books, you might consider purchasing <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2AgpbrU" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Visual Guide to Lock Picking</a></span>.<br /></div><div class="qtext_image_wrapper"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="qtext_para">The <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2i0t9dT" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Science in Action Water Rocket</a></span> is great fun for a budding rocket scientist, or just someone who likes making things fly. Turn an ordinary plastic soda bottle into a working rocket! (The kit comes with a bottle, but you will need your own bicycle pump.)</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><b>My librarian side can't resist some book recommendations…</b></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><span class="inline_editor_value"><span class="rendered_qtext">My favorite non-fiction book of 2017 is <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2iSoprC" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture</a></span>, a history of The Dark Knight so well crafted that it's obvious Glen Weldon loves Batman. This is the perfect book for comics nerds, Batman nerds, or even non-nerds who want to know what all the fuss over Batman is about.</span></span></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><span class="inline_editor_value"><span class="rendered_qtext"><span class="inline_editor_value"><span class="rendered_qtext"><span class="rendered_qtext">It's about time Princess Leia had a book dedicated to her backstory, and <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2wWO3mE" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Leia, Princess of Alderaan </a></span>finally delivers. Find out how young Leia Organa went from princess to rebel leader.</span></span></span> </span></span></div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Any comic book fan should have a copy of both <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2BpwGuS" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The League of Regrettable Superheroes</a></span> and <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2zqD1EO" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Legion of Regrettable Supervillans</a></span> so they can brush up on the origins of comics' weirdest superheroes and supervillans including The Eye, The Clown, and Brickbat. (If you don't know which are heroes and which are villains, you need these books!) </div><span class="inline_editor_value"><span class="rendered_qtext"></span></span><br /><div class="qtext_para"></div><span class="inline_editor_value"><span class="rendered_qtext"></span></span><br /><div class="qtext_para"></div><span class="inline_editor_value"><span class="rendered_qtext"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="inline_editor_value"><span class="rendered_qtext"></span></span></div><span class="inline_editor_value"><span class="rendered_qtext"><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">If you've ever wished Die Hard was a kid's picture book, here's your wish granted - <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2ji2Z9U" rel="noopener" target="_blank">A Die Hard Christmas: The Illustrated Holiday Classic</a></span>. It's a little too bloody for actual children, but it's perfect for “grown up” kids.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para"><span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2BqbK6Q" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Comic Book History of Comics: Birth of a Medium</a></span> is exactly what it says on the label—the history of comics, graphic novels, and manga, but in comic book form. Brush up on the comics contributions of Jack Kirby, R. Crumb, Harvey Kurtzman, Alan Moore, Stan Lee, Will Eisner, Roy Lichtenstein, Art Spiegelman, and other important figures in comic book history.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Horror nerds who are also into comics will love <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2A7Ydma" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Four Color Fear: Forgotten Horror Comics of the 1950s</a></span>, a collection of the finest EC horror titles in a single volume. With names like Jack Cole, Steve Ditko, George Evans, Frank Frazetta, Alex Toth, and Wallace Wood gracing the pages, this is a brilliant collection of 1950's horror comics. Beware, this is creepy, graphic, an NOT for children or adults prone to nightmares!</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">Since 1938, Lois Lane has stood her ground against a male-dominated industry (I'll let you decide if that's newspapers or comic books), without superpowers or even a cape. But, the ace reporter regularly scoops Clark Kent, and even managed to get her own comic book title. Find out more about this intrepid reporter in <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2A92ENR" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Investigating Lois Lane: The Turbulent History of the Daily Planet's Ace Reporter</a></span>.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">If you've got a nerd friend who doesn't need the lockpick training kit because she already knows how to pick locks, she might like <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2iZU9eD" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Notes from Underground</a></span>, a comprehensive study of the impact 'zines had on various facets of culture in the late 20th century.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_image_wrapper"></div><div class="qtext_image_wrapper"></div><div class="qtext_image_wrapper"></div><div class="qtext_image_wrapper"></div><div class="qtext_image_wrapper"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="qtext_para"><span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2BnS5Et" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Take That, Adolf!: The Fighting Comic Books Of The Second World War</a></span> is a huge compilation of over 500 comics covers published during World War II, featuring the world's real-life super-villain Adolf Hitler used as a punching bag by legendary creators such as Joe Simon, Jack Kirby, Will Eisner, and Lou Fine.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">"A woman's place is saving the universe." I can't say much more than that, but in <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-qt-tooltip="amzn.to" href="http://amzn.to/2AbKECc" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen</a></span> you can meet some of the most heroic comic book characters…who happen to be female.</div><div class="qtext_para"><br /></div><div class="qtext_para">That’s all I’ve got for this year. Now go show your nerd friends some love!</div></span></span>NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-11502788737896008702017-11-22T20:20:00.000-05:002017-11-23T19:43:43.048-05:00Don't Let the FCC Board Block Your Access to YouTube<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0uJRDRD-sk/WTyR79cJOTI/AAAAAAAACSs/11yrX7R4BOU9SIatK1eB7nViVpgqVbwawCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/YoutubeBroken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="523" height="183" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0uJRDRD-sk/WTyR79cJOTI/AAAAAAAACSs/11yrX7R4BOU9SIatK1eB7nViVpgqVbwawCPcBGAYYCw/s320/YoutubeBroken.jpg" width="320" /></a>Once again, it's time to tell the US government that they have to stop Internet providers from charging you extra to watch the news, play a video game, or Facetime with your grandmother.</div><br />Net neutrality rules are currently part of federal law, and they prevent service providers like AT&amp;T, Time-Warner, Charter, Verizon, or Comcast from charging extra for easy access to an Internet service such as YouTube, email, Facetime, Steam, or perhaps a news service they disagree with.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the FCC chair Ajit Pai publicly announced his plan to slash net neutrality rules, flagrantly ignoring over 22 million previous public comments on net neutrality, and now he has called for a vote to allow Internet providers like Comcast, Verizon, and Charter to block apps, slow down websites, and charge fees to control what you see and do online. <br /><br />The FCC board votes December 14th. <br /><br /><b>But if Congress gets enough calls, emails, letters and tweets, they can stop the FCC.</b> They have blocked FCC votes before.<br /><br /><b>All you have to do is contact your representative. </b><br /><br />To make this easy, there's an <a href="https://www.battleforthenet.com/" target="_blank">automated phone system</a> that will connect you with your representative's office.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And if you don't want to give out your phone number, I hear you. Click over to <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members" target="_blank">GovTrack</a> and put in your zip code to find out how to Tweet, email, write, or phone your reps.</div><br />Want to do something physical? You can attend a <a href="http://verizonprotests.com/" target="_blank">local protest on December 7th</a>. The current FCC chairman was a Verizon attorney before taking that position, which sounds an awful lot like a conflict of interest. You can join the protests outside Verizon retail stores across the U.S. to show that you support net neutrality.<br /><br />If you do nothing, you can't complain when your video streams continuously buffer, but if we all voice our opinion, the government can't ignore us.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">EDIT: Here's a timely follow up--an <a href="https://medium.com/@AGSchneiderman/an-open-letter-to-the-fcc-b867a763850a" target="_blank">open letter from New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to the FCC</a> regarding its refusal to cooperate in a state fraud investigation concerning public commentary on the repeal of net neutrality.&nbsp; </span>NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-88353107989788816252017-10-14T03:00:00.000-04:002017-10-14T03:00:25.951-04:00Nerd Rated: Songs About Spider-Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4S7Z3x8oP_0/Wdwn2dtH0rI/AAAAAAAACYQ/18ljuq9gFpwkCUZlkCWzyiBKgVC8usDJQCLcBGAs/s1600/spidermen02s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4S7Z3x8oP_0/Wdwn2dtH0rI/AAAAAAAACYQ/18ljuq9gFpwkCUZlkCWzyiBKgVC8usDJQCLcBGAs/s200/spidermen02s.jpg" width="145" /></a></div><i>You need more than dual Ludwig Silver Sparkle kicks to swing like a spider, man.</i><br /><br />Welcome to "Nerd Rated", a new segment where I rate things of allegedly nerdy stature.<br /><br />This article tackles songs that claim to be about Spider-Man.<br /><br />Here’s how this works: <br />I’m including songs that suggest a connection to Spider-Man, either in the title or the lyrics, and unlike some Internet outlets I’m not including TV show or movie theme songs because, come on, that’s just lazy. <br /><br />Oh, and I’m not embedding from Youtube because the videos will probably be deleted for copyright infringement, so all links go to Spotify. <br /><br />Each song gets a short review explaining what it’s about and why you might want to listen to (or avoid) it. Each song also gets three ratings. Replay value is totally subjective. Heroic stature is based on how well the song captures the comic book hero mythos, but in some cases a song can score higher if it has other heroic elements. Nerd cred is basically a measure of how nerdy the song is, and may count nerdy elements beyond the comic book such as making references to trigonometry or Tolkien. <br /><a name='more'></a><br />Black Lips <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2gfAAM6Uwp2XR1PjJscw33" target="_blank">"Spidey's Curse"</a><br />Did you know Peter Parker was molested in a PSA comic book?<br />He was. <br />And Black Lips made a song about it?<br />Indeed they did. <br /><i>“Peter Parker’s life is so much darker, better tell Aunt May.”</i> <br />Yeah, maybe it’s not the most profound commentary on comics…or molestation. The song lacks the edge Black Lips are known for, but there’s still a pretty dark line in the middle where the teacher looked at everyone and "she saw that our hearts were gone." I think my favorite part is the voiceover at the end--which in my headcanon is a commentary on the satanic influences of Dungeons &amp; Dragons on popular music, but you can draw your own conclusions.&nbsp; <br />Replay value: 5/10<br />Heroic stature: 7/10<br />Nerd cred: 8/10<br /><br />Katrina and the Waves <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6HqkLvVErga4Y2KDDa3kUT" target="_blank">“Spiderman”</a><br /><i>“People can tell me he’s not real, but I go crazy for that silk and steel.”</i><br />This paean to falling in love with the heroic ideal could be a metaphor for unrealistic romantic expectations, or just as easily literal. I like to believe it’s literal, much more entertaining that way. There’s not much here to analyze in terms of lyrics, so just let the drums march the song forward through the simple chorus: Spiiiiiiiiiiderman. <br />Replay value: 5/10<br />Heroic stature: 4/10<br />Nerd cred: 2/10<br /><br />Veruca Salt <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0dOHmd439Y3mD8mrFBLARY" target="_blank">“Spiderman '79”</a><br /><i>“I’d like to pin you down and tack you to the wall.” </i><br />Hmm, does this qualify as a villain song? <br />Where Katrina and the Waves fall in love with the wall crawler, Veruca Salt may just want him dead. It’s a brooding, heavy track full of metal and fuzz and eight kinds of guitar distortion that isn’t really about Spider-Man the comic book hero at all, but someone should really make a dark comic book series about the narrator “streaked in grease and grime and idle mouths.”<br />Replay value: 7/10<br />Heroic stature: 3/10<br />Nerd cred: 2/10<br /><br />FUTURISTIC <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6YDn9TzzQnu8P58TttANh2" target="_blank">“Spiderman”</a><br /><i>“Fire like the Phoenix…when cats start biting I call in Blade.” </i><br />This is perfect name-dropping hip hop, weaving an arsenal of Marvel heroes and villains into the flow, and to cap it all off, FUTURISTIC samples audio from the old Spider-Man animated series, just in case you doubted his passion for the webslinger. While the song’s really about FUTURISTIC’s lyrical prowess, not the wall crawler, the fact that he slots Eddie Brock effortlessly into his flow means he’s not bragging.<br />Replay value: 10/10<br />Heroic stature: 6/10<br />Nerd cred: 10/10<br /><br />Ramsey Lewis <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7Kcim58Wq44WzjYzOjBxFr" target="_blank">“What's the Name of This Funk (Spider-Man)”</a> <br />This is about as funky as you can get--I think that’s a Moog SubFatty in the low end of the mix there--and the song’s definitely something that could go on the playlist for a road trip, but it’s a bit of a con because the only comic book connection is Spider-Man’s name. If I close my eyes, I can imagine Peter Parker swinging between the buildings…in platform boots.<br />Replay value: 8/10<br />Heroic stature: 1/10<br />Nerd cred: 1/10<br /><br />They Might Be Giants <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3IeDuHklbp9Tm1q2XRWUI0" target="_blank">“Spider”</a><br />Yeah, this song’s not about Spider-Man at all, but I couldn’t find another place to put this astounding title tune for a TV show that never existed. <br />Replay value: 9/10<br />Heroic stature: 7/10 <br />Nerd cred: 10/10 (They Might Be Giants is about as nerdy as a band gets)<br /><br /><b>Bonus (just in time for Halloween)</b><br />The Cure <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4d4oXk7O2lEhZ83ivV93li" target="_blank">“Lullaby”</a><br />Beware: this song is deceptive on so many levels. The pizzicato strings and Smith’s whispered, “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with ‘S’,” might make you wonder if this is simply an off-kilter children’s song. There’s definitely a Spiderman, but he’s got nothing to do with Peter Parker. No, this Spiderman is hungry, and he’s having Robert Smith for dinner tonight, and I don’t mean as a guest. This is one of my favorite gothic horror tunes of all time, if for no other reason than the line, “I feel like I’m being eaten by a thousand million shivering furry holes.” Did I mention that Robert Smith’s on the menu?<br />Replay value: 10/10<br />Heroic stature: 1/10<br /><strike>Nerd cred: 3/10</strike>&nbsp; <span style="color: #660000;">Goth cred: 11/10</span><br />NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-19954517920845659032017-08-25T21:59:00.003-04:002017-08-25T21:59:23.224-04:00Nerdism: Headcanon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrwCNLYBQb4/WaDVel7SbrI/AAAAAAAACXo/3B_xLdOw7c8lS3Hf9o-60Z9dCRS28yW6wCLcBGAs/s1600/Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="715" height="283" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrwCNLYBQb4/WaDVel7SbrI/AAAAAAAACXo/3B_xLdOw7c8lS3Hf9o-60Z9dCRS28yW6wCLcBGAs/s320/Holmes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>No, this isn't about a gun installed in your skull.<br /><br />Headcanon was originally a term similar to fanon that is used in fanfiction circles to refer to the way a person views a character’s backstory. It originates from the term “canon” meaning a collection of formally approved materials and facts within a fictional universe established by the original creator or subsequent creators who have been given authority to add to that universe. The term was firest used in literature to refer to <i>Sherlock Holmes</i> stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle, and it is currently used to establish a continuity between characters and events within fiction that encompasses multiple books, movies, games, or other media.<br /><br />Headcanon takes this concept away from the approved universe, but still applies continuity to the creative process, so that a writer (artist, director, etc.) who has not been sanctioned by the original creator of the materials can adhere to a character’s motivations and fictional life, thus maintaining the audience’s suspension of disbelief. <br /><br />Basically, headcanon means that a story follows the rules already officially established, even if the story’s creator is just a fan.<br /><br />The term has come into heavier use with the popularity of <i>Game of Thrones</i>, <i>Star Wars</i>, <i>Star Trek</i>, and other media with a significant number of characters and events that need to be tracked so that plot holes don’t inadvertently develop. Even official creators use the term. Often fans will ask creators and writers questions, such as if a certain character is actually pretending to be evil, or if a particular location was actually known by another name in a previous part of the story. If these questions can’t be answered “in canon” by referring to existing material, a creator might say that the answer is yes or no according to her headcanon, meaning that she operates according to rules she has set in her head, even though they have not been officially established at that point. <br /><br />Nerds take an official creator’s headcanon seriously, because it can provide clues to where a story is going, or where it may have come from, allowing us to adjust our own headcanon to fit. We tend to speculate about the meaning of even minute details in our favorite books and movies, and while referring to headcanon doesn’t carry as much weight as referring to an actual passage from a book or scene in a movie, it’s still more reliable than sheer speculation.<br /><br />It’s likely that you have your own chronology of events and imagined character backstories for books, movies, or games, and even if you weren’t aware it existed until today, now you have a name for it.<br />NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-28847138794950873832017-07-30T19:33:00.000-04:002017-07-30T19:33:10.125-04:00So Much Classic Sci Fi, So Little Time: Galaxy 1950-1976 Free Online<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71LR-bFSlYE/WX5FywCSIFI/AAAAAAAACVA/MufepL28ufo__lhnEsxlekth-EXftLqlACLcBGAs/s1600/GalaxyScienceFictionApril1964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="573" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71LR-bFSlYE/WX5FywCSIFI/AAAAAAAACVA/MufepL28ufo__lhnEsxlekth-EXftLqlACLcBGAs/s320/GalaxyScienceFictionApril1964.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i>Galaxy Science Fiction</i> was one of the defining publications for mid-20th century science fiction, and it printed stories from sci-fi greats like Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, and one of my favorites Harry Harrison.<br /><br /><i>Galaxy</i> eschewed pulp elements and took a somewhat more mature approach to the genre than contemporary magazines like <i>Astounding Science Fiction</i>, focusing on stories that incorporated plausible science and addressed current social issues.&nbsp; <br /><br />There are now 355 issues of <i>Galaxy Science Fiction</i> available for free at the <a href="https://archive.org/details/galaxymagazine&amp;tab=collection" target="_blank">Internet Archive</a> and this series contains an early version of <i>Fahrenheit 451</i> called "<a href="https://archive.org/details/galaxymagazine-1951-02">The Fireman</a>" and Heinlein’s "<a href="https://archive.org/details/galaxymagazine-1951-11">The Puppet Masters</a>". The collection ranges from 1950 to 1976, and while it's not quite every issue of the magazine, there's plenty of material to keep you entertained for a long time.<br /><br />NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-40442691233759754542017-07-22T20:25:00.004-04:002017-07-22T20:25:52.642-04:00Real-Life Nerds: Saving Video One VHS at a Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m50z397KoVc/WXPs5nOArkI/AAAAAAAACUc/SG46FYWI6iwIBk0H2cAlERqX5Qzk-5toACLcBGAs/s1600/cassette-994272_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="300" height="132" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m50z397KoVc/WXPs5nOArkI/AAAAAAAACUc/SG46FYWI6iwIBk0H2cAlERqX5Qzk-5toACLcBGAs/s200/cassette-994272_640.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Everything currently stored on magnetic media is slowly corroding away like old cars in a junkyard. Magnetic tapes, such as audio cassettes and VHS tapes (including those purportedly multi-thousand dollar Disney black diamond VHS cassettes) store information on plastic tape embedded with metal oxides. As time passes these tapes lose their magnetic fields, and the information can't be read anymore. Experts give tape data 15 to 20 years before it's unsalvageable.<br /><br />Fortunately, the preservationists at <a href="https://xfrcollective.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">XFR Collective</a> are working to transfer information from magnetic tape to digital formats.<br /><br />XFR Collective is a non-profit, all volunteer group who focus particularly on rescuing tapes containing material from underrepresented communities like people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ communities, and activists. Everything they digitize goes to their <a href="http://archive.org/details/xfrcollective" target="_blank">Internet Archive page</a> where the material is publicly available. They also lend equipment to community organizations (such as a local folklore/storytelling project called Los Herederos) to help them with in-house digitization projects. <br /><br />They have also partnered with the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) to design and build an AV transfer station for METRO’s 599 Studio space in an effort to support digitization services for the community. The new transfer station has to include a variety of equipment to work with everything from professional 1-inch tape to the 1/2-inch open reel tape commonly used by activists and community artists in the 1960s and 1970s.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zagGtDL1Y7o/WXPpYJ98UcI/AAAAAAAACUQ/Nf3zG9sSxLQVEE4yZHoHsQa74hn2Bx-qgCLcBGAs/s1600/E-WateWarehouse1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="133" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zagGtDL1Y7o/WXPpYJ98UcI/AAAAAAAACUQ/Nf3zG9sSxLQVEE4yZHoHsQa74hn2Bx-qgCLcBGAs/s200/E-WateWarehouse1.png" width="200" /></a></div><span id="goog_572192277"></span><span id="goog_572192278"></span>The fact that analogue video decks are no longer manufactured was a hurdle the XFR Collective leapt by scouring the listserv of the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) for used equipment, including a CRT monitor, an S-VHS/miniDV deck, and a 1/4 inch reel to reel audio player. The group also tapped into the e-waste recycling store at the Lower East Side Ecology Center, where they discovered a corner of the warehouse devoted to functional analog A/V equipment.<br /><br />The videos that XFR Collective digitizes range from personal family tapes, to recordings from public access TV, to videos of police brutality, and they have transferred over 67 hours of video.<br /><br />XFR Collective still needs equipment, so if you'd like to donate a deck or scope you can contact them through <a href="http://www.facebook.com/XFRCollective/" target="_blank">their Facebook profile</a>.&nbsp; NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-24512515883084328152017-07-05T14:42:00.001-04:002017-07-05T14:42:06.853-04:00Which Came First, the Computer or the Nerd?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyHK2GsR2pM/WV0xZLcpl6I/AAAAAAAACTc/xnfkJn_72DwunEmJjhky-3x4OK4V_xGXQCLcBGAs/s1600/BellNetwordNerd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyHK2GsR2pM/WV0xZLcpl6I/AAAAAAAACTc/xnfkJn_72DwunEmJjhky-3x4OK4V_xGXQCLcBGAs/s200/BellNetwordNerd.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Bell Telephone Network</td></tr></tbody></table>Here's an interesting thought: computer nerds are fascinated with programming, hacking, and networking computers, but what did that type of person do <i>before </i>computers were invented? <br /><br />There were networks and structured algorithms before there were computers, so the computer nerds of today would still have plenty of opportunities to explore their passions in the past. I'll set the mid-1940s as a starting point for computers because that’s when ENIAC was switched on, although there were much earlier calculating machines, but I'll mention those below. <br /><br />Possibly the nerdiest thing with wires and switches prior to electronic computers was the telephone network. In the US, the Bell network started out in 1877 and the company started buying up all the smaller phone networks in the early 1900s. At one point, every telephone in the world was connected to the Bell network in some way. Think about that for a second. You had this device in your home or office that could connect you to any other similar device anywhere else in the world. Sound familiar? This was an awesome playground. Nerds figured out how to use their home handsets to connect to parts of the telephone network they weren’t supposed to access and from there they explored its inner workings. Some of these nerds went to work for the network, others became engineers, some were pioneers in the computer industry. Steve Wozniak was one of those telephone network explorers, and he went on to co-found Apple.<br /><br />There were calculating machines before the 1940s, and some of them were called computers because they…well…computed things. But the computations were limited, for instance an entire machine might be dedicated to computing ballistics trajectories. These machines were developed, maintained, operated and improved upon by nerds who would probably be computer geeks if they had been born in the past 15 or so years. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64vgfF6f-eM/WV0xk0jeTYI/AAAAAAAACTg/mqbtZuv-pwsqa-B3-x1CsF27KMdRVsmEgCLcBGAs/s1600/Babbage_Difference_Engine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64vgfF6f-eM/WV0xk0jeTYI/AAAAAAAACTg/mqbtZuv-pwsqa-B3-x1CsF27KMdRVsmEgCLcBGAs/s200/Babbage_Difference_Engine.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Counters on the Difference Engine</td></tr></tbody></table>I like to think that the pioneering computer nerds were Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace Babbage, who were designing mechanical calculators (proto-computers) in the early 1800s. Babbage was a flake, but a genius. He had these astounding ideas for a machine he called the difference engine that could tabulate polynomial functions. He managed to get funding to build some, but then he had these even more astounding ideas for a mechanical computer that had conditional branching, loops and built in memory that made his original difference engine obsolete--at least in Babbage's mind--so he gave up on building the original machine in order to develop the more complicated machine, much to the government’s consternation. <br /><br />Prior to this, you had people programming looms using paper tape or punched cards in the early 1700s.<br /><br />At some point back there in the mists of time we get too far away from computers to say what the computer nerds would be doing, but I’d put my money on some sort of engineering or inventing that involved connecting different inputs to get an output, which could involve broad fields such as mathematics and chemistry, or more specific occupations like railway engineering, managing electrical power transmission, and designing the Paris underground sewer system. NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-4652498701333258692017-06-24T19:57:00.001-04:002017-06-24T19:57:06.291-04:00So Excited I Can Barely Contain MyselfI've had a browser tab open to the solar eclipse page for so long that I've had to move it twice when I changed computers. You can guess how excited I am.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8jaxiha8-rY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8jaxiha8-rY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />You can find out more directly from <a href="https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/" target="_blank">NASA</a>, or if you're a teacher take a look at <a href="http://www.starnetlibraries.org/2017eclipse/" target="_blank">Starnet Libraries</a> for classroom ideas.&nbsp; NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-73543364751745899462017-06-18T15:45:00.000-04:002017-06-18T15:45:05.216-04:00Nerd Q&A: How do I Accomplish This?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11616255@N05/1805473089/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QTR_gC1j9KI/WUbXxG0HSnI/AAAAAAAACS8/PDsP9049E2YZs7p0cG0JtxGefUYqSP1vACLcBGAs/s200/StudyingByKrystalTubbs.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krystal Tubbs - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11616255@N05/1805473089/" target="_blank">Study</a></td></tr></tbody></table>This isn't exactly a nerd-specific question, but I think it's worth answering if it helps someone meet their goals in life.<br /><br />&nbsp;<i>I am 15 and I want to become a nerd and just focus on excelling at school, working out, and learning computer science. How can I accomplish this?</i><br /><br />First off, the things you say you want to accomplish will not make you a nerd. You might consider them nerdy, but they are very good things to focus on that will help you do better in high school and later in college if you choose to go there.<br /><br />You should also include making a few new friends and spending time with them. If you focus on computer science and working out, I think you might make some friends in the process, so that's sort of included in the plan, just remember that it should be one of your overall goals. <br /><br />Here’s how you can make this happen:<br /><br />1. Desire it. You’ve expressed your desire, so you can cross this off the list. Congratulations!<br /><br />2. Make a 4 or 5 year goal list. (Make the goals real things such as making better grades, not becoming Batman.) In your case this might include specific things like: <br /><ul><li>raise my GPA to a 3.5,&nbsp;</li><li>make one friend who is more physically fit than I am,&nbsp;</li><li>make one friend who is better at computer science than I am,&nbsp;</li><li>distance myself from Phil who always talks me into smoking with him,&nbsp;</li><li>be able to program mobile apps,&nbsp;</li><li>crush the 100 burpee challenge.&nbsp;</li></ul>Write it all down on paper and put it somewhere you can see it every day. For a multi-year goal you should have specific things to show you made it, and your list should have a lot of things on it. You will accomplish some of the things early. That’s great, cross them off the list so you’ll be able to see that you’re progressing. <br /><br />3. Set objectives that you can meet in a shorter time frame and will get you closer to your goal. This is where you look at your list and figure out how to make each thing happen: <br /><ul><li>I want to raise my GPA, so I have to make 5 As and 1 B each term this year (or whatever your school curriculum works out to).&nbsp;</li><li>I want to crush the 100 burpee challenge, so I need to take a body conditioning class.&nbsp;</li><li>I want to make friends with one person who is more physically fit than I am…wait…I can do that in the body conditioning class, etc. </li></ul>4. This is the hardest part. For each objective you must actually do the thing you decide will get you there. You will be sorely tempted to do one more day of stupid shit than start on your objective, or to give up at the first sign of difficulty or the first setback. You know what? It’s fine if you give in to temptation. That’s your choice. But you won’t accomplish what you want if you give in. Think of it as “present you” being a friend to “future you”. Present you can be a crappy friend who never shows up on time, lies, and steals crap. Or present you can be a great friend who gives future you things to make him stronger, smarter, and better prepared for a healthy life with a well-paying job. <br /><br />5. As you complete objectives, cross them off your list and make new ones that are closer to your long-term goals. As you complete long-term goals, make new ones. <br /><br />6. Evaluate your progress each year. <b>Start now, not on January 1.</b> See where you’ve accomplished a lot. See where you can work harder. Perhaps you will need to commit more time and energy to some objectives than others. Figure out where you’re not as strong so you can make yourself stronger there.<br /><br />That’s it. <br /><br />You might think that writing stuff down isn’t the same as accomplishing what you want, or that it’s lame, or that it won’t work, but what have you got to lose? Get some paper and a pen right now and start writing out some goals and figuring out how to reach them. Make sure to include one goal you can make a small start on right now, even if it’s reading an extra chapter for homework tonight or finding out how to sign up for Body Conditioning tomorrow.<br /><br />What are you waiting for? Get started! NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-52085353085357241362017-06-10T20:46:00.000-04:002017-06-10T20:46:02.052-04:00Get Involved: Comment on the FCC Net Neutrality Proposal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0uJRDRD-sk/WTyR79cJOTI/AAAAAAAACSg/6HHu2C9PS5crvhX0yJjLsiZh0k_XGcvMgCEw/s1600/YoutubeBroken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="523" height="183" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0uJRDRD-sk/WTyR79cJOTI/AAAAAAAACSg/6HHu2C9PS5crvhX0yJjLsiZh0k_XGcvMgCEw/s320/YoutubeBroken.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>FCC chairman Ajit Pai has pushed through the "<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?proceedings_name=17-108" target="_blank">Restoring Internet Freedom</a>" proposal. The name sounds great, right? Let's keep the Internet free!<br /><br />Actually, the entire proposal is designed to revoke net neutrality regulations, which means your Internet access can then be legally manipulated by Internet providers.<br /><br />One example of what could happen without net neutrality regulations: the cable company that provides your Internet access can cripple the bandwidth on your Netflix or YouTube streaming if those companies don't pay extra to ensure they have the same download speeds as Comcast's own content. <br /><br />Currently, regulations ensure that equal access is given to all consumers and providers, regardless of how much money they have. The RIF proposal gives providers carte blanche to restrict or promote access, and the proposal suggests removing the regulatory body set up to handle complaints about companies that unfairly restrict Internet access.<br /><br />Every US citizen can comment on the proposal, the comments become part of the public record, and the FCC has to review every comment. If the public makes a big enough fuss, the FCC can't ignore what we want and has no recourse but to keep net neutrality in place.<br /><br />When net neutrality was first being established, public commenters were so active that the website crashed. The FCC expects “significant public engagement and a high volume of filings” but it would be a huge statement about our desire to keep the Internet open to everyone if we crashed the system again. <br /><br />Techcrunch has an excellent <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2017/04/27/how-to-comment-on-the-fccs-proposal-to-revoke-net-neutrality/" target="_blank">guide to making comments on proposal 17-108</a>, so take a look and follow the steps.<br /><br />It's easy, except for the part where you read the proposal, which is pretty long, but <b>please </b>read it because <b>it should infuriate you</b> to see how the FCC makes vague and hypothetical statements about how net neutrality might hurt businesses, but insists on concrete research-based evidence to support any claims as to how corporations could impinge on consumers' rights.<br /><br />Get in there, browse the proposal, use the paragraph numbers to make a specific point, leave a thoughtful comment, and don't let them ignore us.NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571170916054925298.post-91392269777723369042017-06-09T20:27:00.001-04:002017-06-18T14:29:51.934-04:00Real Life Nerds: UPDATE--Protecting Public Data From Big Brother<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfaO0OxVhu4/WTs6CZ-Uj7I/AAAAAAAACSE/EQLZxwLoF3cPnI9BzpLl-BgFTtmuop97wCLcB/s1600/datarefuge_icon_big.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfaO0OxVhu4/WTs6CZ-Uj7I/AAAAAAAACSE/EQLZxwLoF3cPnI9BzpLl-BgFTtmuop97wCLcB/s200/datarefuge_icon_big.png" width="200" /></a></div>Data scientists, archivists and librarians are still hard at work preserving government research and information that they fear could be lost or removed under the Donald Trump administration.<br /><br />I'm not trying to make a political statement here, but I have to point out that within hours of President Trump's inauguration all mentions of climate change were removed from the White House website, and since then climate data has disappeared from other government sites.<br /><br />You can read about <a href="http://www.nerdmanual.com/2017/01/real-life-nerds-protecting-public-data.html" target="_blank">the roots of this data preservation movement</a> in our previous post.<br /><br />The movement has grown, and the <a href="https://envirodatagov.org/" target="_blank">Environmental Data and Governance Initiative</a>--an international network of academics and non-profits addressing potential threats to federal environmental and energy policy, and to the scientific research infrastructure--has been formed to protect the public's right to know, maintain the United States' standing as a scientific leader, ensure corporate accountability, and maintain environmental protection.<br /><br />To further their agenda, the group created an extension that can be added to the Google Chrome web browser that allows users to nominate data sets for archiving. Preserved data sets are downloaded to <a href="http://www.ppehlab.org/datarefuge" target="_blank">DataRefuge</a>, where the information is available to the public.<br /><br />Justin Schell, director of Shapiro Design Lab at the University of Michigan, points out that collecting the data is only the first step. Everything must be verified, organized, properly described, and put into an accessible format. In some cases the people collecting data find multiple copies of the same information, and sometimes the information doesn't agree with other versions, which means the data preservationists have to contact scientists and academics knowledgeable about the data to verify it.<br /><br />If you'd like to take part in the data preservation movement,&nbsp; you can contribute to DataRefuge in a variety of ways:<br /><br />Fill out their survey if you use climate data for your own work, so DataRefuge can prioritize efforts to save valuable and vulnerable data.<br /><br />If you see data on the web that needs to be preserved, check the Internet Archive to find out if it's being archived. The Internet Archive offers a guide to 6 ways to preserve information in the Wayback Machine--<a href="http://blog.archive.org/2017/01/25/see-something-save-something/" target="_blank">If You See Something, Save Something</a>.<br /><br />Help spread the word if you're good at writing or using social media. Let other people know about DataRefuge and the importance of climate and environmental data on our everyday lives.<br /><br />Get involved with the <a href="https://libraries.network/" target="_blank">Libraries+ Network</a> if you're in a library. The Libraries+ Network works to create a sustainable, systematic, and programmatic way to archive federal data.<br /><br />Even if you don't think climate data is vital, the data preservation movement encompasses other government resources such as the CDC, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Education, so there's going to be something in this archive that's important to everyone.&nbsp; NerdManualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994293012350602065noreply@blogger.com0